The future of journalism?

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DP Opinion
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October 15, 2007 @ 1:10 am
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Re: “Audacious. Profane. He won,” Oct. 7 Diane Carman column.

Diane Carman asserts that the future of journalism lies with the likes of J. David McSwane, whose claim to fame is his use of vulgarity in referring to President Bush.

I have always believed that one’s writing reflects the clarity, precision and gracefulness of one’s thinking. Further, that using profanity – each worth 250 words, as Carman suggests – reflected a lack of that clarity, precision and gracefulness of thought, to say nothing of vocabulary, whether in speech or writing. It is saddening, indeed, to think that future writing might be honored when sprinkled with four-letter words instead of words carrying precise and clear meaning.

Alas, if McSwane is the future of journalism, I suspect newspapers will quickly disappear, leaving virtually none for the clear thinkers who appreciate good, thoughtful, clear writing.